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Southern Fried DNN Blog

Southern Fried DNN User Group (Formerly Queen City DotNetNuke User Group QCDUG) blog covers DNN topics addressed by the usergroup at meetings, conventions and for the DNN community for North Carolina, South Carolina and the DNN community at large!

A DNN LIghtsaber? Why? Why Not!

Growing up with Star Wars and being a creative artist-type person, I was always thrilled with the idea that the "final test of a true Jedi is to build their own lightsaber." So through high school Dustin and I collected miscellaneous parts and items that we thought would look neat together. Following in the style of the movie model and prop makers who source parts from every-day objects, we collected all kinds of things to put together.

Flash forward almost 20 years later to my kids asking, "Dad, what's this box of junk?" and I got inspired, "Maybe it's time to put together my first lightsaber..." and I've put together 4 or 5 since then!

Themed Lightsabers & High-End Electronics!

Turns out these days in the Lightsaber building community, there are many kits that can be assembled, many companies making portions and milled pieces through to epic $10K masterpieces of artwork. Some of my favorites are where people "mashup" their favorite characters and themes to create unique crossover or combo sabers. There's an Iron Man Lightsaber... a Thundercats Sword of Omens Lightsaber... Mark Hamill was even presented with a gift of a custom JOKER Saber to tie in his long work as the animated Batman series's voice of the Joker... and that got me thinking... "how can I bring together the two things that I love in a theme for a DNN saber?"

And You're Giving It Away?

YES, this is a give-away prize at DNN Summit 2017! This prize is sponsored by Moore Creative and as a personal creation from myself, Ryan Moore. At the beginning of the convention, you can sign up to win this one-of-a-kind artwork Lightsaber. One lucky attendee will be going home from the slopes with a red and blue DNN Saber!

So, How's It Going? (contruction photos)

Well, plenty of details that I can share and stories I can tell about replacing, testing, burning and rebuilding the electronics... about initial laser engraving and etching needing to be worked out in different methods... but it's all part of learning and the creative process. I've added a few photos of the initial construction stages as well as assembly steps below.

The Finished Product: Unveiling the DNNSummit Saber!

I'm proud of the end product... this creative endeavour has been running for more than 2 months and the look of the saber is fantastic. I think that this is a great combination of Jedi Light Saber look with the styling of original prop department feel for elements and attention to details.

For the lucky winner of the DNN Summit Saber, the videos below will serve as instructions on how to use and on the features of the saber hilt, the electronics lights, sounds and switches.

Video Introduction - DNN Summit Saber, the DNN Themed Saber

Blade Plug and Blade Instructions

DNN Shroud Etching Detail

Electronics Instructions

-- posting soon --

DNN Summit Saber Quick View

See you at DNN Summit!

I'll continue to post updates in photos and at the event will post a video of the finished item and the lucky winner.

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About The User Group

The Southern Fried DNN User Group meets the Third Thursday of Every Month to discuss DotNetNuke tips, topics and camaraderie. The group is for DNN developers, administrators and users, and for everyone interested in learning more!